Apparatus for treating or sampling substances



Feb. 11-, 1936..

E. .G. CAMPBELL APPARATUSPOR TREATING OR SAIPLING SUBSTANCES 3 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 30, 1930 INVENTOR E. ca. CAMPBELL 2,030,682 APPARATUS FOR TREATING OR SAMPLING SUBSTANCES I Feb. 11,1936.

Filed Sept. 3O, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Feb. 11, 1936. E. e. CAMPBELL APPARATUS FOR TREATING 0R SAMPLING SUBSTANCES s sheets-sheet 3 Filed Sept. 30, 1950 lNVENTOR 6:: i

Patented Feb. 11, 1936 APPARATUS FOR TREATING on SAMPLING SUBSTANCES Eugene G. Campbell; Pittsburgh, Pa. Application September 30, 1930, Serial No. 485,571

7 13 Claims. The present invention relates broadly to the treatment or sampling of substances, and more particularly to apparatus'by means of which single phase liquids such, for example, as liquids or gases, or mixtures of two or more phases of fluids exhibiting fluid characteristics-or properties may stances of the character referred to, or to the.

analysis of such substances,-it is desirable either to obtain a substantially uniform distribution of a treating material or substance to a major body, or to obtain a representative sample, of suchmaior body whereby its characteristics may be determined. 1

In the chemical treatment of fluids, for example, it may be desirable to add to a fluid body within a container or conduit 9. chemical or chemicals and effect uniform dissemination or distribution of such chemical or chemicals throughout the fluid body. In other cases it may be desirable to obtain a definite knowledge of the average or representative conditions existing within such fluid body. Either of these conditions is better and more effectively obtained by a method or apparatus efiective for initially producing substantially the desired dissemination or distribution, or effective for obtaining from a plurality of representative points individual samples which are subsequently combined to form a collective sample, the collective sample being representative of all of the individual samples.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide apparatus by means of which con- .ditions or treatments of the character above referred to may be more easily and expeditiously obtained. 1 v

It has heretofore been proposed in the art to which the present invention relates to provide sampling devices intended for the purpose of obtaining representative samples. Such devices have comprised'a number of different forms, such as a single opening within a container wall, a single tube provided with a single opening of arbitrarily selected size with the tube extending into the body to be treated or sampled an arbitrary distance from the container wall, and a single tube perforated with many openings. While all of-such devices have possessed the advantageof requiring only a single opening through the wall of the container, they have not been effective for obtainingia truly representative sampie for reasons which will be more fully apparent as the invention becomes betterunderstood;

While these shortcomings have heretofore been recognized, it has-been felt that theircorrection would require an excessive number of conduits or conductors extending into and through the container .wall at a plurality 01' different points. Each such opening has represented an additional hazard due to the weakening of the structure afforded thereby, and particularly when the appa-- ratus is subjected to pressures and temperatures differing materially from atmospheric conditions. The present invention has .for another of its objects the provision of apparatus requiring only a single opening or oriflce through the container wall or shell and still'enabling the obtaining of a representative sample or representative treatment regardless of whether the material or substance being treated is in the state of motion or rest, and regardless of whether such material or substance is such as to display uniform temperature and pressure conditions throughout the entire body thereof or not.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration only, and more or less diagrammatically, certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a partial sectional view through a container having one form of sampling or treating device in position therein; v

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale on the line 11-11 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view along the line III-III of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrat' ing another embodiment of the'invention;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view along the line V-V of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a detail view of the orifice plate of Figures 4 and 5.; 1 I

Figure 7 is a view partly in longitudinal section and partly in elevation illustrating another embodiment of the invention; '4

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing still another form of the invention; and

directions.

is illustrated diagrammatically a portion of a boiler 2, hereinafter referred to as a container, the term container being utilized generically as a word of definition and not one of limitation for the purpose of including boilers, distillers, evaporators, stills, fractionating columns, condensers, heat exchangers, cooling towers, pipes, conduits and the like. The container 2 is illustrated as being'closed at oneiend by a man-head 3. This man-head is provided with a single opening 4 drilled therethrough at the desired location to receive a conveying pipe 5, the pipe being preferaibly welded into the man-head so as to provide a more or less permanent joint therewith. At one end the conveying pipe cooperates with a union 6 in turn secured to a nipple'l. As illustrated in detail in Figure 3 this nipple carries a reducer 8 from which in turn projects a second nipple 9 which serves in the capacity either of a collecting manifold or a distributing manifold depending upon the direction of flow therethrough.

The inner end of the manifold 8 is closed by an orifice plate Ill herein illustrated as having a circumferential series of substantially uniformly. disposed orifices ll formed therein. The

at different distances-from the manifold 9, and

open at their outer ends so as to be in free communication with the contents of the container 2. It is within the province of the designer to so select the length of the proportioning tubes that the ends l thereof will communicate with the interior of the container at regular or irregular intervals and at uniform or non-uniform distances from corresponding parts of the container. In any case the construction is such that the collective action of the proportioning tubes is effective over avmajor, or at least a very substantial part, of the area of the container. If utilized in the capacity of a sampling device in which case the flow through the proportioner will be from the right toward the left as viewed in Fig. 1, a plurality of individual samples will be collected from diflerent zones within the container, and all of these individual samples brought. together in the manifold 9 in the form of a collective sample. This collective samplev will in turn give a representative or average indication of the contents of the container.

When used as a treating device in which case the flow through the proportioner will be from plurality of distributed zones within the container. In Figure 1 the ends I! of the proportioning tubes are shown as extending indifferent While such an arrangement is desirable in some cases, it will be apparent that this disposition of the parts is not essential.

From the foregoing description the general construction of the device will be apparent. Itis such that a representative sample may be obtained from, .or uniform treatment insured to,

a body within the container having flow-like characteristics. It will be further apparent that such operations are possible with only a single opening through the main wall of the container itself and therefore with a minimum hazard incident to the using of the device itself. It is to be noted, however, that the diameter of the proportioning tubes is materially greater than the diameter of the orifices l I which control the flow into or discharge from the proportioning tubes. By such a relationship of the orifice sizes to proportioning tube diameters there is insured a. continued condition of operation in which the pressure drop incident to friction through the tubes themselves will be negligible as compared to the-resistance afforded by the orifices them-. selves. Thus the tendency of tubes of materially different lengths to feed into the manifold 9 quantities inversely proportional to their lengths is obviated, and the quantity of the individual samples through each of the tubes is regulated by the orifice characteristics rather than by the tube resistances. Since the orificebharacteristics may all be the same, the individual samples will all be substantially the same in quantity provided uniform pressure conditions prevail 'in the different zones of the container, thereby further insuing a. more representative or average sample within the manifold 9. In case the pressure in the container varies in various zones thereof as, for instance, where a condition of flow occurs within a pipe, each sampling tube withdraws from its zone a sample quantity in proportion to the pressure. The device disclosed in the present application will, therefore, automatically take care of any variation in pressure in different zones of the container by withdrawing from each zone a sample corresponding to its respective pressure; and accordingly, the resultant of the combined samples from all of the tubes is more representativeof the whole than in previous constructions for sampling.

.In cases where the temperature and/or pressure of the container contents are above atmospheric temperature and/or-pressure, and particularly where the contents are in liquid form at relatively high temperature such that discharge into the atmosphere would permit flashing, I conveniently provide exteriorly of the container supplemental or auxiliary mechanism for preventing such a flashing operation, since the effect of flashing would be to lose the relationship of liquid to solids as it exists within the'container itself.

In Figure 1 I have diagrammatically indicated the. conveying pipe 5 as provided with a regulating valve I Gadapted to control the flow in either direction through the conveying pipe. The valve I6 is connected to a filter I! having intake and outlet connections l8. By-passing the filter is a line 19 having a valve 20 thereinadjacent one end of the fllteranda valve 2| adjacent the opposite end of the filter, the by-pass having an is a coil 26 having an inlet controlling valve 21 and an outletv controlling valve II. The coil is contained within a shell 29 having a valve controlled inlet connection 30 and a valve controlled discharge connection 3!, these connections being Also extending for the purpose ofcontrollingthe, flow of a coolingfluid through the shell in contact with the coil 28.

It may be assumed.- by way-of example that samples spouses the container 2 comprises a boiler having water therein the dissolved substance concentration of which it is desired to ascertain. In this case the valves 2t, 2i end it will be closed, the valve 2'! first fully opened, the valve til then fully opened and the valve iii grit-dually opened. This will permit o, free iiovv through the filter and coil such as to clean the same from uany contained liquid or solids. Thereafter the valves it, 2? and 28 will be adjusted so so topermlt the desired rate of flow of the collective sample from the proportioner through the filter and cooling coil. The cooling coil provides means for controlling the cooling oi the sample to the desired temperature renge by proper control of the supply of cooling fluid to the shell illLwvhile the adjustment of the valve ilil permits such cooling and discharge of the cooled sample to be obtainedas will prevent flashing with its conse ouent disadvantages as before referred to. asmuch es the sample will comprise individual collected from Widely, distributed points, the cooled sample will constitute a representative or sverage indication of the true conditions within the boiler.

In case it is not desired to utilize the filter ll, it may be readily by-passed by closing the valve 23 and opening the valves 29 and 20. In case it is desired to produce o. reverse flow through the filter for cleaning the same, the valves it, 2i and 21 will be closed, and the valves 23, 2d and 25 openthereby permitting flushing of the filter and discharge of the flushing fluid through the connection 2d. The filter may be flushed in a the opposite direction if desired by closinglthe valves i6, 28, and 25 and opening-the valves 22, 2! and 27, although usually such a. flushing operation will not be desirable inasmuch as the flow of flushing fluid will be-in the' same direction as the normal flow through the filter;

The invention from a. sampling standpoint or from a treatment standpoint, is characterized in the case of a container in which uniform pressure prevails by the conveyance to or from a central point of equal quantities either by weight or volume of fluids and/or solids and/or gases either continuously or intermittently for purposes of ascertaining the average conditions at dififerent points within a container or treating the contents oi the container by distribution to a plurality of difierent points therein of unit quantities as referred to. Should the pressure within the container be non-uniform, es in the case of a'condition of flow within a pipe, the conveyance to or from each zone will be proportionate to'the pressure existing in the zone in each case. With non-uniform pressure conditions within the container, the invention provides, as a result of combining samples from the various zones in proportion to the respective pressures, a more truly representative sample of the whole than has previously been possible of accomplishment. Similarly, distribution to various zones of a container, in accordance with the pressures existing in each, results in more even treatment per unit of volume of the material flowing in'the container.

While I have hereinbefore referred to the treatment or sampling more particularly of fluids of the liquid type,-lt will be understood. that the invention is applicable to the sampling of gases and its contained suspensions from apparatus in which the process of combustion is performed, or where calcining,- roasting, drying, melting, or the like is performed or where. itis desired to effect a desuperheating or equivalent operations, all of which will be readily apparent from the examples given.

While the particular manner oi'testing the collective sample constitutes no part of the present invention, a clearer understanding of the invention will be had if it is pointed out that its dissolved substance concentration may be ascertained.. by a suitable conductance test for example. If desired, however, the collective sample may be diverted to a continuously analyzing indicator, or the gases orliquids maybe caused to flow through transparent conduits so that they intercept a beam of light from alight source causing such an interference with thelight beam as to afford an indication of the solid suspensions therein. Other analyzing, testing or indicating systems will readily suggest themselves from the examples given.

In Figures 4, 5 and 6 there is illustrated, a slightly modified form of device effective, for example, for securinga representative .po'rtion oi the vapor phase of the fluid, such as steam, from u liquid undergoing evaporation. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention a container 3% in the form of a steam pipe is illustrated as provided with a neck lit threaded at its outer end to receive a. flange 3?. Cooperating with the flange 3? are two blind flanges 38 and 39. The blind flange 38 has threaded thereinto a nipple Ml carrying a reducer it herein constituting a manifold. and adopted toreceive a tube carrying plate 42 to which is bolted or otherwise secured an orifice plate 63, illustrated in detail in Figure 6, and having an individual orifice 44 for each of the proportioning tubes 55. These proportipning tubes are herein illustrated as being disposed on a substantially common center line, one above the other, and as being welded or otherwise secured one to the other as indicated at 46.' Each of the proportioning tubes may also have its open end 41 cut at an angle as indicated for example in Figures 4 and 5, or the ends 68 may be bent upwardly so as to extend counter to the direction oi the steam flow as indicated more particularly in Figure 7.

In Figures 8 and 9 there is illustrated still another embodiment of the invention in which the conduit neck 58 is provided with a baffle plate 5! to effect an eddy reduction to as great an extent as possible, and in which the ends 52 of the respective tubes overlap the other tubes and are secured thereto for stiffening and reinforcing purposes.

The structure illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 is further characterized by the fact that the conveying pipe 53 is located eccentrically with respect to the manifold 5d, the manifold in turn being eccentrically disposed with respect to the neck til. By reason of this construction it is possible to make the ends 52 extend upwardly a greater distance than would be possible if the entire-structure were symmetrically arranged.

In order to insure assembly of the parts with the ends 52 extending inthe proper direction, the machine screws 55 which secure the blind flange56 to the flange 51 may be non-symmetrically disposed so as to preclude assembly in any tioning apparatus comprising a plurality of pro- 7 whereby thestaticpressureon oppositesidesof the orifice plate '2 may bedetermined.

WhileIhavehereindandillustrated adeviceconstructedinaccordancewiflrthepresent inventionashaving theorificeswhich control thefiowconditionsslldislw e inacommon plane, which plane is adjacent the manifold, it wilibeapparentthattheorificesmaybeotherwisepositionedorlocatedatthepleasm'eofthe designer, it being important, however, that the areaoftheorificesbeararelationtothecross sectional areaoftheptubesasbefore described. 1

The advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description heretofore given extentwithinsaidcontainersoastocommnnicate withadifierentmneof the container, and fiow regulating devices, one with each tube and each devicehaving a flow controlling orifice of materially smallerarea than theflowareaofthetubewithwhichit.

2. In combination, a container, and proporportioning tubes, each extending to a different extent'within'said container so as to communicate with a different zone of the container, and flow restricting devices, one cooperating with each tube and each device having a fiow controlling orifice of material y smaller area than the flow area of the tube with which it cooperates, all orsaid orificeshavingthesamediameten 3. In combination, acontainer, and proportioning apparatus comprising a plurality of proportioning tubes, each extending to a different extent within said container so as to communicate with a different zone of the container, and fiow regulating devices, one cooperating with each tube and each device having a fiow controlling orifice of materially smaller area than the fi'ow area of the tube with which it cooperates, all of said tubes being of uniform diameter.

4. In combination, a container, and proportioning apparatus comprising a manifold, a pinrality of proportioning tubes communicating therewith and extending to a different extent within said container so as to communicate with a different zone of the container, and a plurality of fiow restricting devices, onecooperating with each tube and each having a fiow restricting orifice of materially smaller area than the fiow area of the tube with which it cooperates.

5. In combination, a container, and proportioning apparatus comprising a manifold, a plurality of proportioning tubes communicating therewith and extending to a difierent extent within said container so as to communicate with a difierent zone of the container, and a plurality of flow restricting means, one cooperating'with each tube and each having a flow controlling orifice of materially smaller area than the flow area of the tube with which it cooperates. all of saidoriflcesbeingdlspoledinacolmnonorlfico plate. a

8. Intiomacontainenandmoportlonm -Pparltilsapluralityofpropoh tioning tubes, eachextaaiing toadiiferent extentwithinsaidcontainersoastocommunicate withadiiferentmneofthecontainenaplurality 'offiowregulatlngdevicaonewiih eachtubeandeachdevicehavingafiowcontrolling orifice of materially smaller area than thefiowamofthetubewithwhichtheorifice cooperates,andafilterforfilteringfiuidsfiowing through said proportioning tubes.

'7. In combination, a container, and proportioni s cr e p isi s a p u y of i p tioning tubes,eachextendingtoadifferentextentwithinsaidcontainersoastocommunicate with a different zone of the container, a plurality of flow restricting devices, one cooperating with eachtubeandeachdevice havingafiowrestricting orifice of materially smaller area than the fiow area of theme with which the orifice cooperates, a filter for filtering fiuids flowing through said proportioning tubes, and cleaning means for said filter.

r 8. In combination, a container, and p ing apparatus comprising a plurality of propor tioning tubes, each extending to a different extentwithinsaidcontainersoastocommunicate with a different zone of the container, a plurality of flow regulating devices, one cooperating with eachtubeandeachdevicehavingafiowcontrollingorificeofmateriallysmalierareathanthefiowareaofthetubewith whichtheorifice cooperates, a filter for filtering fiuids fiowing through said proportioning tubes, and a heat exchanger adapted to receive the discharge from said filter.

9. In combination,v a container, and proportioning apparatus comprising a manifold, a conducting pipe communicating with said manifold, a

plurality of proportioning tubes communicating with said manifold and each extending to a different extent within said container so as to communicate witha different none of the container, and an orifice plate in-said manifold interposed between said proportioning tubes and said conducting pipe, the flow through each proportioning tube being controlled by an orifice in said orifice plate.

10. In combination, a container, and proportioning apparatus comprising a manifold, a pinrality of proportioning tubes of different lengths for conveying fluid to said manifold from diiferent points-within said container, and a plurality of orifice metering means having substantially the same effective fiow opening, one of said metering means cooperating with each tube.

11. In combination, a container, and proportioning apparatus comprising a manifold, a plurality of conducting means of different lengths placing said manifold in communication with difi'erent points within said container for the fiow of fiuid, and a plurality of orifice metering means, one of said metering means cooperating with each conducting means, said orifice metering means having all substantially the same effective fiow opening.

12. In combination, a container, and proportioning apparatus comprising a plurality of proportioning tubes of difler'ent lengths entirely contained within said container, each tube communicating with a different zone of the container, orifice meteringmeanaone cooperating with each tube and each having a materially smaller effecr 9,080,088 5 tive flow area than the flow area of the tube with which it cooperates, and a single conducting pipe communicating with said proportioning tubes and extending through a wall of the container.

13. In combination, a container, and proportioning apparatus comprising avmanifold entirely contained within said container, a conducting pipe communicating with said manifold and extending through a wall of the container. a plurality of proportioning tubes communicating with said manifold, each tube extending to and communicating with a diirerent zone 01 the container, and orifice metering means, one cooperating with each tube and each having a flow controlling orifice oi materially'smaller area than the flow area o! the tube with which it cooperates.

EUGENE a. cmnm; I 

